COG News: COGWA, PCG, & UCG

The improperly named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) posted the following:

The Trumpet recently established a bureau in Jerusalem.

The old CG7 had an office (and claimed it for a time as its world headquarters) in Jerusalem. PCG has not done that, just opened an office there at this stage. The Trumpet is basically PCG’s “public proclamation” magazine and website.

(I was unable to post some of the items in this COG News update a little earlier as I did not have full internet access for about a week this month.)

The Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA) posted the following:

As I write this letter, I am preparing to leave for Nassau, the Bahamas, for the funeral of Kingsley Mather.

My wife and I met Kingsley Mather at the FOT in the Bahamas back in the WCG days in 1992. On other matters, COGWA’s new Life, Hope & Truth website is now live. It has taken COGWA 1 1/2 years to get to this point. The Life, Hope & Truth website is supposed to be COGWA’s prime “public proclamation” tool.

And speaking of public proclamation, the United Church of God (UCG) reported:

We’re approaching seven years of Beyond Today television production and have almost 200 programs recorded.

Historically, UCG has not had a great response to its Beyond Today television program, though the response increased after the COGWA split and UCG went on WGN.

Also, speaking about public proclamation, Roderick C. Meredith of the Living Church of God (LCG) reported the following:

This past year we added over 120,000 new Tomorrow’s World magazine subscribers in countries around the world. Our international telecasts were watched by 2.7 million brand new viewers in 2011, and our TomorrowsWorld.org Web site drew 1.4 million new visitors around the world.

Thanks to member and co-worker support, the Tomorrow’s World TV programs were carried on 232 TV stations or networks around the world.

The different groups have differing focuses, governments, teachings, and priorities, though all have significant doctrinal similarities as well.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.